Abstract: A track rail fastening system includes a direct fixation fastener assembly having a direct fixation fastener, and a laterally elongated support block. Fastener holes for receiving fastener-clamping fasteners, and fastener holes for receiving bracket-clamping fasteners, are formed in the support block. The respective sets of fastener holes are arranged in different anchor patterns. Fastener-clamping fasteners are received in one of the sets of fastener holes and claim direct fixation fastener to the support block. Bracket-clamping fasteners clamp a third-rail support bracket to the support block, and are received in one of the sets of fastener holes. The third-rail support bracket is cantilevered to the support block.

Abstract: A rail-switching unit, functioning singly or combined with other same units as part of a track-switching unit of a track-switching system of a vehicle-guiding system is provided. The rail-switching unit includes a rotatable ensemble including a rotatable-hub with attached switch-rails and auxiliary components and stationary elements including a main fixed-rail, branch fixed-rails and a supporting structure, wherein the branch fixed-rails are attached to common rails and the rotatable-hub selectively rotates to allow an engagement of each switch-rail simultaneously with the main fixed-rail and with a corresponding branch fixed-rail with a purpose of creating alternative continuous rail paths for vehicles to move through the rail-switching unit. A mechanism is applicable to mono/multi-railed tracks, to supporting/suspended vehicles, to traditional/rail-wrapping wheels-assemblies, to diverge/merge/cross-points, and to a wide variety of track-switching configurations.

Abstract: A tank for a railway tank car includes an outer tank, a nozzle, a fittings plate, and a set of pipes. The nozzle protrudes through the outer tank such that an outer edge of the nozzle extends past an exterior surface of the outer tank. An intersection between the nozzle and the outer tank defines an opening in the outer tank. The fittings plate is welded to the nozzle around the outer edge of the nozzle. The set of pipes pass through the fittings plate and into the outer tank through the nozzle. The set of pipes includes pipes to load and/or unload fluid from the tank.

Abstract: A vehicle rail mounting device (10) Is provided for mounting a vehicle rail (12) on a support structure (14). The device Includes a bottom piece (16), an elastomeric bearing element (18) to be supported on the bottom piece, top cover elements (22) having elastomeric element retainers (54), a top piece (20), and rail connectors (82). The elastomeric element retainers are provided to retain the elastomeric element in place while the elastomeric element is adapted to retain the top piece, and hence the rail connectors, and therefore also the rail, in place. The top cover elements can be connected to the to the bottom and to the support structure to keep the whole device in place.

Abstract: An assembly includes a locomotive, equipped with a roof line, electrically connected to a pantograph, a control system and a sensing circuit. The control system orders, depending on the voltage on the roof line detected by the sensing circuit, the open or closed state of a switch between the roof line and a power supply circuit of the motors of the locomotive. The assembly also includes a tender, coupled to the locomotive and carrying batteries suitable for delivering a current for supplying the motors. The tender is electrically connected to the locomotive in such a way that a first terminal of the batteries is connected to the roof line and a second terminal of the batteries is connected to a point of the locomotive set to a reference potential.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement (20) comprises a wheel sensor (21) which is arranged to detect wheels of rail vehicles, a carrier (22), and a connector (23), wherein the wheel sensor (21) is fixed on the carrier (22), the connector (23) is fixed to the carrier (22), and the connector (23) is electrically connected with at least one electrical contact (24) of the wheel sensor (21).

Abstract: A well car for carrying shipping containers has a pair of end structures supported by railcar trucks, a pair of first and second spaced apart side beams extending between the end structures and a well defined therebetween. Container support cross-members are mounted between the side sills in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. An array of elongate members is provided to divide the opening into smaller spaces and to prevent excessively large openings from being left. The elongate members can have different forms, whether rigid hollow structural sections, rods, or cables. The arrays of elongate members are oriented at oblique angles along the railcar body.

Abstract: A transfer assembly for a hoist unit for a patient includes a motor base, a first frame secured to the motor base for rotation about a pitch axis. The first frame includes one or more first suspension wheels rotatably affixed thereto for rotation about a laterally extending axis. The transfer assembly also includes a second frame secured to the first frame for rotation about a yaw axis. The second frame includes one or more second suspension wheels each of which is rotatably affixed thereto for rotation about a laterally extending axis. The transfer assembly also includes a drive wheel assembly rotatably mounted on the motor base for rotation about a laterally extending drive wheel axis. The transfer assembly also includes a motor assembly secured to the motor base and operatively connected to the drive wheel assembly such that operation of the motor rotates the drive wheel assembly.

Abstract: Railroad hopper cars and methods of increasing total volume capacity of a railroad hopper car having a car body with two or more hoppers. In one embodiment, the railroad hopper car includes a car body having a pair of opposed sides and a pair of opposed ends defining a length. The hopper car additionally includes a pair of wheeled trucks supporting the car body. The hopper car further includes two or more spaced bulkheads extending between the pair of opposed sides to define three or more separate hoppers arranged adjacent one another along the length of the car body and between the pair of side walls. The hoppers being longitudinally asymmetric such that total volume of the hoppers on one side of a transverse center plane of the car body is different from total volume of the hoppers on the other side of the transverse center plane.

Abstract: A snow protection assembly is provided for a coupling region of a rail vehicle. The rail vehicle has, on an end face, a recess which protects against snow, in which recess a coupling of the rail vehicle is arranged. A fixed housing partially extends around the recess. The housing has an opening in the direction of travel of the rail vehicle, from which opening the coupling partially protrudes to enable a process of coupling to an additional rail vehicle. The opening of the fixed housing is peripherally fixedly connected to a first sealing element. A second sealing element is rotatably connected to the coupling, and the second sealing element partially extends around the coupling. The two sealing elements partially overlap in the region of the opening. The two sealing elements are coupled to one another by pressure to protect the opening against the ingress of snow.

Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway having a plurality of regions in which one or more vehicles are propelled, where each such vehicle includes a magnet. Disposed along each region are a plurality of propulsion coils, each comprising one or more turns that are disposed about a common axis, such that the respective common axes of the plurality of coils in that region are (i) substantially aligned with one another, and (ii) orthogonal to a direction in which the vehicles are to be propelled in that region. The plurality of coils of at least one such region are disposed on opposing sides of the magnets of vehicles being propelled along that region so as to exert a propulsive force of substance on those magnets.

Abstract: A robotic service device for a robotic picking system grid. The robotic service device can be configured for driving to any location on the grid in order to restart malfunctioning robotic load handling devices or to perform maintenance operations or cleaning in situ. Additionally, the service device may be used to rescue robotic load handling devices operational in the picking system. The robotic service device can include a releasable docking mechanism to enable it to dock and latch on to malfunctioning load handling devices. A deployable, releasable electrical connecting device is shaped to conform to a charging, powering, or battery component of one or more of the load handling devices.

Abstract: The derail warning system may include a solar-powered LED indicator for derail or switch. The derail warning system may also include an orientation sensor that automatically turns on depending on the orientation of the derail (up or down), derail metal flag, or switch indicator flag. The derail warning system may bring more visibility with a 360-degree LED that is solar powered and may detect orientation and turn on based on the position of the derail, switch, or flag. The derail warning system may use a unique acceleration sensor or g-sensor that can detect orientation movement and automatically turn on or off and be fully charged to operate day or night. The derail warning system may also include a data-logging microprocessor to determine a time stamp of position and location.

Abstract: The switch machine disclosed uses electro-hydraulic power to move the throw rod against the resistance of redundant mechanical springs and the switch point, for half of its stroke. Once the switch points have moved past mid-stroke the spring force in the machine is released and assists in the closure of the switch points against the stock rail. All hydraulic force is removed when the power unit is turned off. The redundant spring assembly holds the switch points firmly against the stock rail with 2000 lbs of holding force. This machine can be described as a power operated spring switch.

Abstract: A novel zipline can include banked turns. A rider can ride around turn sections, and the rider can swing out under centrifugal force, extending out at an angle away from the center of the turn. The zipline can be extended, with additional legs added while the zipline remains operational. The zipline can have multiple paths, multiple ending zones, and multiple starting zones. The zipline can be illuminated from within, and can be illuminated with multiple colors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treatment of a ballast track by means of track maintenance machine which comprises a lifting unit, having gripping rollers for gripping a track grid formed of rails and sleepers and lifting drives for lifting the track grid, and a measuring system for comparing to a target position of the track, wherein the lifting unit is set in vibration by means of a vibration exciter and the vibration is transmitted to the track grid, wherein the lifting unit is controlled by means of a control device in such a way that, during a lifting operation, the lifting unit is set in vibration, and the track grid is first lifted to above the target position and subsequently lowered to the target position. By means of the method according to the invention it is possible to carry out in a simple manner a lifting of the track grid with simultaneous stabilization of the track position.

Abstract: A dumping system for accurate and precise dumping of ballast rock, sand, and gravel (aggregate) to all areas of a railroad track (a track) is described. The dumping system includes a dump box, a dump gate having at least two delivery gates, an operating system, and a control system. The at least two delivery gates of the dump gate each include a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of each of the at least two delivery gates is adjusted in real time by the operating system via the control system to accurately and precisely deliver the aggregate to all areas of the track. The dump box may further be rotated horizontally and vertically to aid with the delivery of aggregate to the track in an accurate manner.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the invention, an elevated transportation system is provided. The elevated transportation system includes a plurality of towers. A plurality of track segments is operable to connect to the plurality of towers. A lift car is operable to move along the plurality of track segments. Each tower of the plurality of towers is operable to receive and connect one or more track segments. The plurality of towers is operable to enable the lift car to move along the plurality track segments.

Abstract: A line guiding apparatus (1) includes a line guiding unit (2) having a direction-changing region (7) and a support unit (8) which has a slide (9) with a support element (10) arranged thereon for the direction-changing region (7), that at the inside bears against the direction-changing region (7) and permits a movement of the line guiding unit (2) about the centre point axis (17) of the direction-changing region (7). To displace a line guiding unit of high flexibility in a stable linear orientation the support unit (8) has a drive device engaging the slide (9) and driving it in the direction of displacement of the line guiding unit (2) and a control device which is operatively connected to the drive device and is not formed by the line guiding unit (2) itself and with which the drive device is controllable in dependence on the state of movement of a movable connecting region (5).

Abstract: An end-of-train device, a system, and a method for monitoring barrier gates are provided. The method includes receiving at least one image associated with a barrier gate from an imaging device mounted on a train. Further, the at least one image is analyzed to determine a current status of the barrier gate. The current status corresponds to a position associated with the barrier gate. Based on the current status of the barrier gate, an action to be performed is identified. Further, one or more instructions for performing the identified action are generated.